X v vacuum scuffler



H. CARTMELL ET AL VACUUM SCUFFLER Nov. 30, 1948.

' 2 Sheets-Sheet l- Filed April 13, 1945 Nov. 30, 1948. H. CARTMELL ET. AL 2,455,226

VACUUM SCUFFLER dA l3, 1 Flle prll 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Ffhy.

Patented Nov. 30, 1948 VACUUM SCUFELER.

Harold Cartmell and EeciI Garey; Chili'wack, British Columbia-,Canada Application April 13, 1945,..sen 1nu. tssnfso.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a vacuum scuffler. Its primary object is to'devise and-constructa simple and" easy to manufacture vacuum scuffler:

A-further'o bject-of"the-invention is to provide a sc-ufiierthat will loosen sand-and gravel from the-bottom of ariver-and'which'will be carried away elsewhere by the current, thus providing a clean channel for navigation purposes.

With these and other objects in view that may appear while the description proceeds the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically set forth, claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings forming part of this application and in which:

Fig. l is an end view of the vacuum scufiier lying on the bottom of a river and the stream flowing in the direction indicated by arrows;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus as it lies on the bottom of a river showing the cable also known as drag anchor;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the vacuum scuflier;

Referring more in detail to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views it will be seen the invention comprises a frame 5, on which is mounted angularly a series of [blades 6. At both ends 1 and 8, of frame 5, is mounted a shoe. Where the current of the stream hits the upper blades it forces the vacuum scufller down stream and holds it on bottom, while the current hitting the lower blade is forced on the bottom of the river and will remove sand and gravel, carry it away and deposit it elsewhere. The shoes and 8, are to provide easy traction for the apparatus. A certain distance must be maintained between the bottom of the river and the underside of the scufiler. The shoes on the scuflier will regulate the volume of water passing on the underside of the scufiier blades. The angle of the blades 6, may be varied to allow for different forces in different streams. The stronger the current the lesser the angle between blades may be, as it will be easily carried down stream as it may be readily seen the device uses the river current for power. The length of scuffler and also of blades may vary according to work being done.

The slots 9, in frame 5, are to allow an adjustment for the angle of blades 6. Blades are held in the longitudinal slots by a quick release device Ill. The cable or drag anchor l l, is set in one of a plurality of holes l2, on frame 5, and when set in the top hole, the scufiler would be helddown to-a greater extent than'when placed' in either of the other holes. Whe-rethe stream may notbe sufiici-enttoremove-thesi-lt after the blades havebeen-arranged tothe g reatest possible angle, the drag anc-h-or" ljl, may belowered to the hole closest the-bottomioh the-river al lowing thegreatest portion of" the scuflier to be above retainir'xgpoint -on the anchor-drag; finch an arrangement will cause the scufiler to-tilt for ward thus increasing the angle between lower blade and bottom of river causing the current to strike harder on the gravel and sand to be removed. A weight I3, is securely fastened at the end of drag anchor, from where it derives its name so that the movement of scuffier may be considerably slowed down thus permitting the current to strike longer on the same spot and removing more sand and gravel.

In lieu of an anchor the scuffiers speed could be efficiently controlled by a donkey on a scow. This may even be preferable when the river bottom is obstructed by snags, stones and boulders.

The anchor and scufiler are dropped into the water at the up stream end of the sand bar, the current running over the upper blades forces it down stream while the current running below the bottom blades will remove the sand and the anchor will control the speed of the apparatus. After the silt is dislodged the vacuum behind the two blades sucks it up to where it is met and carried away by the water that has passed over the upper blades. A floating buoy may be attached to the anchor and another to the scuiiler so that they can be picked up after having moved down over the bar and into deep water. Rudders may sometimes be used on the souiiler where current is extremely strong but are not always necessary.

It is believed that the construction and advantages of the invention may be apparent from the foregoing paragraphs taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings without further detailed description.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed it is understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of cooperating parts may be resorted to within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. A dredging device adapted to be submerged in a body of water in the path of its current comprising a frame composed of upright rectangular end members disposed in spaced relation parallel to the flow of current, a pair of vertically spaced deflector blades extending longitudinally between and connected to said end members, said blades being inclined transversely in opposite directions with their converging edges facing the flow of the current.

2. A device of the character described in claim 1 wherein rockers are provided on the upper and lower edgesof the end members to rockably support the frame on the bed of the water.

3. A device of the character described in claim 1 wherein said blades are adjustably mounted to change the degree of inclination.

4. A dredging device adapted to be submerged in a body of water in the pathof itscurrent comprising a frame composed of spaced upright end members disposed in parallel relation to the flow of the current and a V-shapedbaflie member extending horizontally between the end members with its apex facing the flow of current whereby the current is diverted in an upward and downward direction.

5. A device of the character described in claim 4 wherein rockers are provided on the upper and lower edges of said end members to rockably support the frame on the bed of the water.

6. .A device of the character described in claim 4 wherein said 'baflle is adjustably mounted in said frame.

justably connected to the front of said frame to secure the frame in a vertical or tilting position.

HAROLD CARTMELL. CECIL CAREY.

I REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 278,975 Koon June 5, 1883 1,525,727 Falley Feb. 10, 1925 1,531,743 Falley Mar. 31, 1925 1,583,132 Falley May 4, 1926 2,068,537

Dorn Jan. 19, 1937 

